Small Cars

To say Australians have embraced Chinese cars is an understatement. In recent years we have bought cars from China in increasingly huge numbers. In 2022 China was the fourth-largest source of cars sold in Australia - behind Japan, Thailand and South Korea - with more than 122,000 examples sold. But five years ago, back in 2017, Chinese-made cars didn’t even feature in the top 15 in sales. In fact

Turning 50 in Australia this year, the Honda Civic is renowned as being a reliable and high-quality small car with premium aspirations.

As Easter is a time for renewal and re-birth, we've looked at some other nameplates we'd love to see not only make a comeback, but do so with an electric powertrain for a long-term future. Some of these may have an element of optimism to them, but there's actually genuine hope that several of these could be in showrooms in the not-too-distant future.

It's already been a big year for Hyundai in Australia, with the new car market's number five-ranked brand having just launched the dramatic Ioniq 6 EV sedan. But that Tesla Model 3-baiting, ultra-low drag four door is just the beginning of an extensive 2023 new model roll-out for the South Korean giant.

China’s making moves in the ‘cute car’ space, with the latest from the Baojun brand - a collaboration between General Motors, SAIC and Wuling - looking to take the adorable small SUV crown from the Suzuki Jimny.

Mazda has dropped the pricey SkyActiv-X powertrain variant and all mild hybrid grades from its Mazda3 small car range as part of a model year update that ushers in tech upgrades and a more streamlined model range

The second fully electric car from MG, the MG4, has become one of the most awaited models for the brand in Australia, and now pricing for the EV hatch has been confirmed.

The details of the Hyundai Kona Electric have been confirmed for Australia, with the all-electric SUV to deliver more than 480kms in driving range when it arrives Down Under towards the end of 2023.The Kona Electric range has expanded in this new-generation model, with the EV to be initially offered in two trim levels, with an N Line version to in 2024."The Kona is going to have an N Line version, and we'll start with the electric," says Hyundai USA boss, Jose Muñoz. "We're going to have different versions, and we've started from the beginning with the EV."Also new are the brace of battery sizes, with 48.6kWh and 64.8Kh available, with the latter expected to deliver a WLTP driving range in excess of 480kms on the WLTP cycle. Battery sizes in the outgoing model were 39.2kWh and 64.0kWh.The new Kona Electric is also bigger in every way than the model it replaces, with the new version 145mm longer, 25mm wider and 20mm taller, all while riding on a wheelbase that’s been increased by 60mm.Those gains are all about producing more space for passengers and their stuff, with rear leg room boosted by 77mm, and cargo space increased by 33 litres (with the rear seats in place), and a more signifiant 144 litres when the back seats are folded flat.The cabin tech has been upgraded too, with every model equipped with dual 12.3-inch panoramic display screens, thoroughly modernising the cabin experience and addressing one of the more old-school-feeling features of the outgoing model.The Kona EV will initially arrive in Australia in two trim levels, with Standard Range and Extended Range models to launch. An N Line version will touch down soon after, while a full-blown N model remains unconfirmed across the entire Kona and Kona Electric range.The Standard Range delivers 99kW and 255Nm, and should travel around 380kms on a single charge. The Extended Range version ups the power to 150kW and 255Nm, and should travel in excess of 480kms on a charge.We don’t know the full equipment list for Australia yet, but LED headlights and taillights, the dual screen system and dual-zone climate control will arrive as standard, as will the ability to download over the air updates. New safety equipment includes an in-car camera monitoring the driver’s attention level and a centre airbag.Hyundai is yet to confirm Australian pricing details, but we would expect the Kona Electric to start higher than the model it replaces, which started at $57,438 for the Elite, and $60,938 for the Highlander.

Mini's next-gen icon has been seen in the US without any disguise as its official debut approaches.

The top 10 best-selling vehicles in Australia last month were exclusively utes and SUVs, with not one passenger car - like a hatchback or sedan - making the list. And the top of the table was dominated by a trio of pick-ups, with the Toyota HiLux making up ground as the best-selling model after being beaten by its arch rival, the Ford Ranger, for the last couple of months.